Return to school after missed GCSEs

[HelloHellebore]

Following prolonged bullying in her previous school, our DD has developed a mixture of mental health problems (PTSD, OCD, anorexia). She changed school at the start of the GCSE course, but has now missed essentially all of the second GCSE year and won‘t sit any exams this spring. She’s still in a clinic, but assuming she makes enough progress to attend school in September, does anyone have any experience how best to proceed with education, without GCSEs?

DD doesn’t want to redo the last GCSE year because she will have to start from scratch with friendship groups. I don’t think the school will let her start A-levels without any GCSE’s. The school actually isn’t keen on her repeating the GCSE year, and seem to think BTECs are a good solution. Unfortunately these seem to have a lot of coursework, which is something DD is currently struggling with.

Anyone been in a similar position? How have other children proceeded where they missed a critical school year?

What is she interested in? She could do level 2 courses without GCSEs. Then she could study English and maths GCSEs alongside, or functional skills level 2 (which is GCSE grade 4 equivalent).

My DD was in similar situation regarding school and gcse, we got a tutor for maths and English at home, held her back a year, then she sat A levels , she also went to a school out of area so no one knew anything about her. Being a year older really helped, and a good few were same age as her

Does she want to return to school?

I would think that getting GCSEs in Maths and English is a priority - all sorts of things require these two GCSEs. If you have the funds, I'd do this with home ed/tutor. Then you can look at next steps - but IMO, Maths and English GCSEs are important.

Sorry to hear your DD has been through so much. She could do maths and English (and maybe combined Science) at a college. Then take it from there. BTECs ARE a lot of coursework, plus exams, so it would help if she got her maths and English first. Then maybe A levels or a BTEC. (Also T-levels are a thing now but I don't know anything about them).

My DD missed all of y11 due to MH, but because it was the TAG year of 2021 she was able to sit a few assessments at home and came out with 4 GCSEs at grade 3.

1. Has she got an EHCP? If no then apply for one. That will give way more flexibility, plus the ability to take more than 3 years at college as long as she is progressing.

When DD started at college every time we wanted flexibility we were asked 'does she have an EHCP?'. At that time the answer was 'no' so we applied for one and as soon as the LA agreed to do a needs assessment college became more flexible.

2. I would aim for a 3 year 6th form, with an 'easy' course in the first year to get back into things. (My DD has done a L1 course which means she can have poor attendance (75%) but still manage the course.) So sit maths & English GCSE alongside e.g. Level 2 BTEC Applied Science or any other L2 BTEC that takes her fancy. Note with no GCSEs she won't meet the normal entry criteria for a L2 course, but Home Ed children manage it so there must be some flexibility. After the first year hopefully she'll have coped and can then progress to A levels. If she is still struggling she can do a lower course again.

I can't think that jumping straight to A levels would be in any way a good idea.

I second applying for an EHCNA. As well as support with academics (which could include tuition at home or elsewhere other than at college/school) it can provide support and therapies beyond what would otherwise typically be available.

@TeenDivided maintaining the EHCP, and therefore the ability to do more than 3 years at college, isn’t based on making progress.

@FloatingBean Isn't it? That must be my misunderstanding then.

@TeenDivided The LA may only cease to maintain if a) it is no longer responsible for the child or young person or b) it is no longer necessary for the EHCP to be maintained (s.45(1) CAFA 2014).

Some LA’s try to cease where DC aren’t working towards a new qualification but this is unlawful. There is case law on this, B & M v Cheshire East Council [2018] UKUT 232 (AAC) if you are interested.

@FloatingBean Does that mean an EHCP could stay 'live' whilst dipping toes into working?

@TeenDivided The LA is no longer responsible if DC begin paid employment. But this doesn’t include supported internships, apprenticeships, work experience.

T-levels are the same level as A-level and require grade 6 average with grade 5 Eng/Maths minimum so no good in this case. But she may be able to get onto a level 2 NVQ course plus functional maths/English which could follow onto a T-Level if successful. T-level is much more practical than A-level and involves high proportion of work placement.

I would be looking at colleges with more varied course options rather than just school. Also a good way to start anew after a tricky time. Going back to the same school but in a different cojort would be bad for self

Esteem..... Sorry keep posting too soon.

Entry requirements not universal. DD's college requires Five GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and Maths. for their T-Levels which is the same as they required for the equivalent L3 BTECs / C&Gs.

T-Level is the 'improved' Level 3 Extended Diploma BTEC.

she will need to do a level 2 course, either BTEC or a GCSE resit year, although that wont be possible in a school, she will need to be in a sixth form.

she can mix the 2, do a level 2 BTEC with English and maths GCSE ( in fact that will most likely be compulsory if she does a BTEC)

She will be able to start A levels, or BTEC level 3, if she completes the level 2 qualifications in 1 year.

she will need to do a level 2 course, either BTEC or a GCSE resit year, although that wont be possible in a school, she will need to be in a sixth form.

Some school sixth forms do offer level 2 courses. And speaking more generally since OP’s DD says she doesn’t want to, if OP’s DD gets an EHCP she can be decelerated and resit Y11 in a school.

Without GCSEs they will be able to take level 1 courses, if they are able they r extremely boring.
U May b able to get them to agree to get starting on level 2 if she is redoing the exams, obviously she would need to do maths and English.
Unlikely without GCSES that she would be allowed to do A’Levels.

yes, of course, a school sixth form is a sixthform - she wont be able to reenter year 11 though

As I posted, it is possible to be decelerated and resit Y11 if the OP gets an EHCP.

Your pp made it sound like even a sixth form within a school isn’t a possibility as you said it won’t be possible in a school and a school’s sixth form is still in a school.

sixthforms can be part of a school, but they are normally run separately, all I meant is she couldn't go back to year 11 - she needs to move on to the sixthform, in her school, or separately. some places may take 16 year olds in year 11, but no school I am connected to ever would

My DD was decelerated via an EHCP.

some places may take 16 year olds in year 11, but no school I am connected to ever would

With an EHCP, if the school was named in I and the out of chronological year provison included as SEP in F it wouldn’t be the school’s choice.

The vast majority of school sixth forms are still part of the school, most aren’t separate registered establishments.

ok, they are just run separately

Wow, I‘ve just come back from work and seen all your replies, thank you so much!

Lots of helpful suggestions - I‘d not even heard of T-levels before.

Thanks for highlighting the importance of getting GCSE maths and english - it should have been obvious to me, but I‘ve think I’ve lost perspective a bit as to what is or isn’t important.

When people say GCSE English they mean GCSE English Language (in case it wasn't obvious).

T-Levels are just revamped BTECs, made slightly less accessible for people who struggle with exams and with more work experience required.